Thoughts on the Aero Precision SOLUS ?

[FuhQ]

I just ordered another box of Alpha 6.5CM SRP brass last night, so should have it by Friday. I don’t mix and match brass with barrels, unless I’ve completely burned the tube, and replaced it with another, then I FL size to get them back to SAAMI, then start neck-sizing again.

Also, I do have a really nice set of Manson Go/No-Go gauges that work for ALL the Creedmoor cases (which is genius on Dave’s part), and headspace was dead-on the new barrel, as well.

Got my first round of loads to test in the new barrel. I didn't get to the range this weekend, as life got in the way, but I will be going this weekend. I loaded up 25 rounds the same exact load that my other Aero 22" 6.5CM factory barrel likes, same COAL, etc... since the chambers are only 0.001" difference. If it likes the same load, that will be cool. Main goal is find out of it likes that load, and also to break-in the barrel somewhat. We'll find out this weekend.

 

[wade2big]

I cut the stock back to match the ejection port on the action on the other side. About 5 minutes with a file and some touch up paint looks good enough

I did the same to mine. I taped off the surrounding area and went slow with a dremel. Touched it up with a Q-tip and paint. I also had to add a relief cut in the stock to make room for the trigger hanger. It doesn’t take much here either.

 

[KYAggie]

I don't have a BS, but I probably do need to just breakdown and buy a Teslong. Which one do you run?

This is the one I have, it’s a 26” fixed with WiFi so I can view on my phone or iPad.

https://teslong.com/collections/borescopes/products/ntg150hw-wi-fi-26inch-rigid-rifle-borescope-new-release?_gl=1*vr9f87*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj4K5BhDYARIsAD1Ly2rjS7nVYvwUYg8Dkgtb1aXm_hbKwYTLEXzJ68NA9BVdSlGE_eX8EmQaAucDEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAoQ4VFd3FfdvccbTMbayGuNg7PPMe

 

[Kocher]

Anyone else having trouble finding where the wrap ends and starts to open, so as to not tear the bubble wrap all up …brain Buster

 

[Kocher]

The gang is all here…all arrived. No issues yet…

The 26” 6creed is looong!

 

[FuhQ]

Well, the new CarbonSix barrel showed up today... 1 week turnaround for a warrant claim, is impressive.

I did some measuring on it off the gun, since the action has that other spiral-fluted 6.5CM barrel on it right now. The 7 SAW-II chamber is noticeably longer than the Type-1, but not quite as far as the numbers suggest. After crunching the numbers before to make a guess on COAL, my estimate based on their freebore numbers on the website, show that it should have seated the 175 Elite Hunter to 2.311" base-to-ogive. But reality testing it was 2.300" on the dot. So, that means my jump after seating them deep enough to clear and feed from the AICS mag, will be anywhere from around 0.050" to 0.070"

I'm going to do the first round of testing on my other 6.5CM barrel first, since it's already spun on that action, and once I figure out how well it shoots, and get a quick load developed for it, then I'll spin the new 7 SAW barrel on, and restart load development. Probably in the next couple weeks (weekends).

Also, the barrel threads on this new CarbonSix barrel aren't 100% perfect (like a CNC cut barrel), but they're damn-sure MUCH straighter than the first barrel. This one is very close to center, so I'm not complaining, because it shouldn't affect anything, and it definitely won't get any baffle strikes like the first one had me worried about.

 

[KYAggie]

Took my 308 PVA barreled Solus out today. It seems to like a 155 Nosler CC with 45.9 TAC F210M seated .06 off. The suprise of the day was MEN 92 surplus. I’ve never gotten a group like that with surplus and it performed very well at 500 on steel. I also ditched the Mark IV 4.5-14 mix master for a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18.

 

[FuhQ]

Took my 308 PVA barreled Solus out today. It seems to like a 155 Nosler CC with 45.9 TAC F210M seated .06 off. The suprise of the day was MEN 92 surplus. I’ve never gotten a group like that with surplus and it performed very well at 500 on steel. I also ditched the Mark IV 4.5-14 mix master for a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18.




View attachment 8537673View attachment 8537674

View attachment 8537676

I'm glad your .308 Win shoots good. It seems most of them either won't consistently produce equal results (like my .308 Win barrel), or just won't shoot good at all. Seems very few of the .308 Win barreled rifles are consistent shooters. I hope Aero/BA gets that issue figured out. I'm guessing they have, which is why all the .308 Win and .300 BLK Solus rifles are on backorder. I was told the .300BLK pistols had a barrel issue with the first batch, so they sent them all back, and are waiting on new ones, which is what is causing the huge delay (ordered it in July).

Also, I like the paint job. Looks good! Is it paint, or did you have it dipped? Also, leaving the action nitride, and only painting the stock and barrel is smart, leaves you room for upgrading later, where you might not want a camo receiver. Good forward thinking.

 

[KYAggie]

I'm glad your .308 Win shoots good. It seems most of them either won't consistently produce equal results (like my .308 Win barrel), or just won't shoot good at all. Seems very few of the .308 Win barreled rifles are consistent shooters. I hope Aero/BA gets that issue figured out. I'm guessing they have, which is why all the .308 Win and .300 BLK Solus rifles are on backorder. I was told the .300BLK pistols had a barrel issue with the first batch, so they sent them all back, and are waiting on new ones, which is what is causing the huge delay (ordered it in July).

Also, I like the paint job. Looks good! Is it paint, or did you have it dipped? Also, leaving the action nitride, and only painting the stock and barrel is smart, leaves you room for upgrading later, where you might not want a camo receiver. Good forward thinking.

My 308 barrels is NOT an Aero barrel; it’s a PVA barrel. It’s a Wilson blank chambered by Josh.

Thanks! I did paint the stock. It was a blemish Aero 17” chassis that was an ugly two tone gold color. I used Rustoleum camo paint.

 

[FuhQ]

My 308 barrels is NOT an Aero barrel; it’s a PVA barrel. It’s a Wilson blank chambered by Josh.

Thanks! I did paint the stock. It was a blemish Aero 17” chassis that was an ugly two tone gold color. I used Rustoleum camo paint.

My bad... My brain is on about 100 different things today, trying to deal with shit. I read that, but for some reason it didn't process...

Those blem sales they run are almost always the best buys out there. I picked up 2 "blemished" .300 BLK uppers from them for like $300 each a couple years back, one 10.5" and one 8", and I couldn't find anything blemished on them. They both also shoot lights-out with 220 subs, even out to 200 yards.

 

[TDWilson]

Deleted

 

[Kocher]

Well, the new CarbonSix barrel showed up today... 1 week turnaround for a warrant claim, is impressive.


Also, the barrel threads on this new CarbonSix barrel aren't 100% perfect (like a CNC cut barrel), but they're damn-sure MUCH straighter than the first barrel.

Interesting see how barrel manufactures thread and chamber barrels, CNC or manual cut …. all depends on their initial set up and how accurate they can setup center…of bore..
Many axes to figure out!

 

[Kocher]

This is quite detailed and shows just how much MANUAL,a CNCmachine can get.
Not promoting, other than this was a solid display of what an individual in a company can can do, in order to give you a greater chance of success in the field.

 

[FuhQ]

Forgot I did this last night, and took my hunting rig, which is a 20" @christensenarms Ridgeline FFT in 7mm-08 Rem, with a Kahles K318i on top, and stuck it in the new McMillan Game Warden Edge stock I ordered for it, and weighed it with the TBAC Magnus-S can on it, so basically in full hunting configuration, minus ammo... Also, I bought a Hawkins M5 AICS bottom metal for it. Really nice unit, and will be a great hunting setup. I'm very happy with the outcome of the reconfiguration. In person, while handling it, it feels like it weights a whole lot less than 10 lbs. but the scale doesn't lie... It's very quick and nimble in the hands.

I also removed the scope, and can, and stuck them on my Solus with the new spiral-fluted Sendero Lite 6.5CM barrel (416r) from the contract overrun, and put my K318i on top, and the Magnus-S on the end, and weighed it, too, as if it would be in hunting configuration, as well.

I did it mainly just for the name of science and to see how much heavier the beefy Solus and steel barrel was, over the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 20" 7mm-08 barreled action with one of their 20MOA rails on top, incase I decide to get a whole new Solus action for this CarbonSix 7 SAW barrel on Black Friday sale from somewhere, and use this spiral-fluted rig as a hunting rifle.

Based on the actual numbers, I bet I could screw on a Proof 20" CF prefit, and make the difference LESS THAN 1 lbs. with the Solus action. So, there really (IMO) is no need to worry about the "lightweight" Solus actions, since they're only a few ounces difference between the regular and "lightweight" versions. I'd rather have the extra beef and strength in there, and just tote around a couple more ounces of weight.

Here were the results...

Just the stripped 20" Ridgeline FFT 7mm-08 rifle with no scope and no suppressor...



Ridgeline FFT w/ scope, but no suppressor...



Ridgeline FFT w/ scope & Magnus-S suppressor...



Aero Solus w/ 20" spiral-fluted 6.5CM (contract overrun) 416r stainless barrel, K318i scope, and Magnus-S suppressor...

 

[KYAggie]

Aero Solus w/ 20" spiral-fluted 6.5CM (contract overrun) 416r stainless barrel, K318i scope, and Magnus-S suppressor...

So the Solus in the Gamewarden with no scope weighs about 7.5# if my rough math is correct. Not terrible. Maybe a little beefy, but if it balances, it would be fine. I like a total scoped and loaded weight of 8.5# max for a hunting gun, but I have yet to hunt with a suppressor, so that would add a bit. I tend to grab my R93 in either 270 or 300 Win mag when I hunt as it’s light and has excellent balance, but the barrels are not threaded, so no suppressor. I’ve thought about using my Aero overstock barrel, I have the same one, to build up something I could hunt with that has a suppressor, but I would probably put it on my Origin action as it weighs 28 oz which is lighter than the Solus at 36 oz. That’s half a pound lighter and with a light hunting scope would be within the 8.5# I tend to like.

Thanks for the info!

Btw, what does your Game Warden stock weigh by its self?

 

[FuhQ]

So the Solus in the Gamewarden with no scope weighs about 7.5# if my rough math is correct. Not terrible. Maybe a little beefy, but if it balances, it would be fine. I like a total scoped and loaded weight of 8.5# max for a hunting gun, but I have yet to hunt with a suppressor, so that would add a bit. I tend to grab my R93 in either 270 or 300 Win mag when I hunt as it’s light and has excellent balance, but the barrels are not threaded, so no suppressor. I’ve thought about using my Aero overstock barrel, I have the same one, to build up something I could hunt with that has a suppressor, but I would probably put it on my Origin action as it weighs 28 oz which is lighter than the Solus at 36 oz. That’s half a pound lighter and with a light hunting scope would be within the 8.5# I tend to like.

Thanks for the info!

Btw, what does your Game Warden stock weigh by its self?

It’s the Edge Fill model, so VERY light. I think 27oz.

 

[warnera1102]

The gang is all here…all arrived. No issues yet…

The 26” 6creed is looong!

Was that a blem sale?
How long did it take you get yours?

 

[Magsz18]

Was that a blem sale?
How long did it take you get yours?

I ordered 3 barrels on 9/30.

I am still waiting for one. So long as it ships, I hardly care. The price was friggin fantastic and well worth the wait.

 

[warnera1102]

I ordered 3 barrels on 9/30.

I am still waiting for one. So long as it ships, I hardly care. The price was friggin fantastic and well worth the wait.

Yeah as long as it ships I am happy, I am just curious of how long it typically took. I picked up a 6.5cm barrel on 10/21.

 

[FuhQ]

Yeah as long as it ships I am happy, I am just curious of how long it typically took. I picked up a 6.5cm barrel on 10/21.

I bought mine on 9/29, it shipped on 10/5, and showed up on 10/9, and that was going all the way across the country from Washington state to Alabama.

 

[OD29]

I ordered my 6CM barrel on 10/22 and it showed up on 11/1.

 

[warnera1102]

I ordered my 6CM barrel on 10/22 and it showed up on 11/1.

Well dang, maybe I need to follow up with aero.

 

[ARShooter91]

I bought 2 on 10/4 got one in 2 weeks with no sign of the 2nd...

annoying because it's so hard to get ahold of them

 

[Magsz18]

I bought 2 on 10/4 got one in 2 weeks with no sign of the 2nd...

annoying because it's so hard to get ahold of them

I've had good luck with their live chat (when they're open).

They are horrid about email correspondence.

 

[FuhQ]

Just a heads-up, they have Solus "blem" actions on sale and they are offering a 20% off a Aero barrel for it if you buy the combo. Choose your action and your barrel.

I just picked up a "blem" Solus Obsidian .478" action, so, I guess I'll just be torquing the replacement CarbonSix 7SAW barrel on this now when it comes in, instead of breaking down the other 6.5CM with the spiral-fluted barrel on it.

Cosmetically Blemished AR Parts At Discount | Aero Precision

Shop good as new blemished AR parts & accessories & save on your next build without sacrificing quality when you buy Aero Precision blems.

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

 

[FuhQ]

Well... I think it's safe to say that my 20" spiral-fluted 6.5CM contract overrun barrel has been figured out and was actually stacking right off the bat. All I did was torque it on, run a few wet patches with RemOil on them, and then patched it dry with a couple patches, and went to the range. I loaded up 25 rounds (for breakin/testing) of the exact same load that shot the best in my 22" 6.5CM Solus factory barrel. Same COAL, same everything. Sighitng in, I shot the first round and it hit the backstop. Guessed where it hit, made a quick adjustment, and then shot a 2nd round at the biggest steel gong, just to find my POI, and it was (overall, from bore sight) high 1.1 MILs, and about .4 MILs left @ 100 yards. Adjusted, and shot 3 pinwheeled the gong, shots 4 and 5 went into the same damn "hole" (steel gong, so no penetration), but the group looked like 1 shot. Had a couple other guys there today, and they were like "Damn... That's a shooter!" So, I decided to let it cool down, and shot round 6-10 into the first group on paper, then I went out to 300 immediately with a 1 MIL dope and started pinwheeling the 3" gong @ 300. Then at the final 5 shots (21-25), I put down another group just to verify the barrel is staying consistent... Here's the results...

20" Aero/Stag 6.5CM spiral-fluted barrel w/ the TBAC Magnus-S...

Here's how the 22" Sendero 6.5CM factory rifle shot today (same exact load as the 20") w/ the OCL Hydrogen-S 6.5mm...

 

[KYAggie]

Man I hope mine is that good! You were using RDF’s?! I have a few and I frequently get two groups about 1” apart. There will be three stacked and two stacked, but .75-1” apart. That’s with H4350 and a Rock Creek barrel that shoots Custom Comps very well.

I thought RDF stood for random damn flyers.

What speed are you getting with your 20”?

 

[FuhQ]

Man I hope mine is that good! You were using RDF’s?! I have a few and I frequently get two groups about 1” apart. There will be three stacked and two stacked, but .75-1” apart. That’s with H4350 and a Rock Creek barrel that shoots Custom Comps very well.

I thought RDF stood for random damn flyers.

What speed are you getting with your 20”?

Yeah, those are 140 RDF's. I have experienced this as well in several different caliber and weight RDF's.

The 20" averages (so far) at 2,780 FPS MV. And the 22" is 2,833. Same exact load for both rifles.

 

[CaseFinder]

Just a heads-up, they have Solus "blem" actions on sale and they are offering a 20% off a Aero barrel for it if you buy the combo. Choose your action and your barrel.

I just picked up a "blem" Solus Obsidian .478" action, so, I guess I'll just be torquing the replacement CarbonSix 7SAW barrel on this now when it comes in, instead of breaking down the other 6.5CM with the spiral-fluted barrel on it.

Cosmetically Blemished AR Parts At Discount | Aero Precision

Shop good as new blemished AR parts & accessories & save on your next build without sacrificing quality when you buy Aero Precision blems.

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

Sold out it seems in less than 5 days...

 

[FuhQ]

Sold out it seems in less than 5 days...

They’ve been gone for a couple days now. They sold out quick.

 

[dk17hmr]

Did some testing with the 20" 308 imr4895 & Sierra 125gr tipped game changers.

3 shot 100 yards
It seems to show promise in the 2940-2970fps range and 3050-3065fps range.

The 5 shots on steel was from 300 yards 14mph right to left. With a charge in the middle of what I tested that actually grouped the worst at 100 yards....3 into 1.25" surprise surprise 4" at 300. I loaded those 5 to zero my scope before testing my I just did it as I was shooting groups so just blasted them at steel instead.

I'll do some more testing but so far it seems to like the lighter stuff

 

[KYAggie]

Did some testing with the 20" 308 imr4895 & Sierra 125gr tipped game changers.

3 shot 100 yards
It seems to show promise in the 2940-2970fps range and 3050-3065fps range.

The 5 shots on steel was from 300 yards 14mph right to left. With a charge in the middle of what I tested that actually grouped the worst at 100 yards....3 into 1.25" surprise surprise 4" at 300. I loaded those 5 to zero my scope before testing my I just did it as I was shooting groups so just blasted them at steel instead.

I'll do some more testing but so far it seems to like the lighter stuff

Excellent. Is this a rifle you bought from them with one of their barrels or an over run barrel you bought on sale and installed?

It will be interesting to see what it will do with a heavier bullet, but it sure looks good with 125’s!

 

[dk17hmr]

It was a barreled action I bought and put in a greyboe. It does about that, maybe a touch bigger with 169gr smk and 178gr bthp. Those loads were developed in my 20" AIAT.

I'm more interested in shooting 125-130s from it mostly for my kids. I have other rifles for shooting heavier bullets.

 

[FuhQ]

It was a barreled action I bought and put in a greyboe. It does about that, maybe a touch bigger with 169gr smk and 178gr bthp. Those loads were developed in my 20" AIAT.

I'm more interested in shooting 125-130s from it mostly for my kids. I have other rifles for shooting heavier bullets.

Well, apparently you're one of the few who got a .308 Win Solus that will actually shoot... My factory M24 .308 Win barrel sucked, and every time I thought I had found a load it liked (168 Custom Comp, 168 ELD-M), it was like voodoo hit it the next time I went to the range, it was shooting all over the damn place @ 100 yards...Like 1.5"-2" groups. It was the dumbest rabbit I've ever chased. I put over 300 rounds down that barrel trying to find a load it liked...I gave up, and snatched the barrel and put something else on it.

 

[FuhQ]

New video is up with my custom built Aero Solus / Proof Research .25 Creedmoor with my TBAC Magnus-S suppressor...

 

[dk17hmr]

I'm planning on loading and shooting another 50 rounds with the load going 3050fps over a couple of range session maybe out to 500 yards. Just to make sure it holds out. So far I feel pretty lucky with this barrel a bad load has still been about 1.5".

I really want to play with a 25 Creed. I have been a 25 caliber fan since I was a teenager with my first 25-06. I actually had my 25-223 out today at 700 yards with an 87gr going 2800.

 

[Kocher]

Was that a blem sale?
How long did it take you get yours?

2-weeks to get all three barrels. 1 and then 2 came a week later
Contract over run

 

[Kocher]

Well, apparently you're one of the few who got a .308 Win Solus that will actually shoot... My factory M24 .308 Win barrel sucked, and every time I thought I had found a load it liked (168 Custom Comp, 168 ELD-M), it was like voodoo hit it the next time I went to the range, it was shooting all over the damn place @ 100 yards...Like 1.5"-2" groups. It was the dumbest rabbit I've ever chased. I put over 300 rounds down that barrel trying to find a load it liked...I gave up, and snatched the barrel and put something else on it.

I feel your pain …
150+ brass junked..and 300+ rounds down the tube ……
the headspace was way off it was on a quality AR15 /6ARC barrel …. somehow the nogo gauge failed on arrival but magically closed after the barrel was on/off an on and off again
there is at least 4- things I could’ve done differently that would’ve been simple and figured it out right away… manufacture said send it in…but of course I knew better, and had to just “figure” it out, for fear I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG that was simple.

 

[Kocher]

The 308m24 barrel? Would this be worth trying? Do you think the contract barrels are newer-ish so no issues?

 

[FuhQ]

The 308m24 barrel? Would this be worth trying? Do you think the contract barrels are newer-ish so no issues?

Don't know about their .308 Win barrels (honestly, I wouldn't take my chances on it, based on my personal experience), but I can tell you that my 20" Aero/Stag contract 6.5CM barrel is insanely accurate... I was absolutely floored how well it was shooting right out of the gate. It needed zero break-in. The very first 2 shots to zero the scope, and the next 3 in the same hole...

This is shots 6-10 on a brand new barrel...

 

[southernpew]

Xcaliber Savage Small shank barrel arrived today. Got it during a 30% off sale. So far I have gotten everything on great sales, trying to see what I can get into 6 Dasher and PRS for. If I don’t like it, I’d rather not have $4k+ tied into a rifle

 

[TicTacTex]

I ordered a contract over run barrel to stick in the closet and use one day.
It arrived 13 days after the order was placed. Guess I was lucky.

 

[Anb618]

I ordered a contract over run barrel to stick in the closet and use one day.
It arrived 13 days after the order was placed. Guess I was lucky.

They shipped mine 8 days after I emailed them trying to cancel my order, 37 days after I placed the order.
Hopefully the barrel shoots better than they manage correspondence.

 

[ARShooter91]

Finally got my 2nd on the 13th. Ordered 10/4.

No tracking and poor packaging but the barrel look good.

 

[ARShooter91]

FuhQ did you ever get your Solus pistol?

 

[FuhQ]

FuhQ did you ever get your Solus pistol?

Now they've changed it to "shipping December 2024"... I have a feeling a month from now it will say, "shipping January 2025"... If I haven't seen this thing by the first week in December, I'm calling and raising hell. Because that's just retarded to take this long for a run of barrels...

 

[Mongo68]

223 actions are up for “Solus week”

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Took my 308 franken-Solus to the range today. Only 74 rounds but thankfully the action is starting to feel better. Measured 0.4” I’m happy w it.

 

[KYAggie]

Took my 308 franken-Solus to the range today. Only 74 rounds but thankfully the action is starting to feel better. Measured 0.4” I’m happy w it.


View attachment 8549874

I looked but couldn’t find if you mentioned who the barrel maker was. Is it a Aero barrel or other manufacturer?

Looking good btw.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

I looked but couldn’t find if you mentioned who the barrel maker was. Is it a Aero barrel or other manufacturer?

Looking good btw.

It’s an Outlier barrel.